Page 34 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

32 St. Paul's Cathedral, London

The Great Fire of London in 1666 left the medieval cathedral
of St. Paul's in ruins. The architect Christopher Wren was
commissioned to rebuild it, but his design for a church
on a Greek Cross plan (where all four arms are equal) met ii;iJ Dome
At 370 tt (113!'1V, the
with considerable resistance. The authorities insisted on elaborate dOI'Tle is one of
a conventional Latin cross, with a long nave and short the highest in the world.
transepts, to focus the congregation's attention on the
altar. Despite the compromises, Wren created a magnificent,
world-renowned Baroque cathedral. Bu ilt between 1675 and
1710, it has been the setting for many state ceremonies.

PORTLAND STONE
Balustrade
Wren constructed St. Paul's of This was added
durable Portland Stone from in 1718, against
Dorset quarries, thought to Wren's wishes.
be the optimum material to
withstand London's climate.
A West Front and Towers More than 300 years of
Added by Wren in 1707, the towers' design was
inspired by the Italian Baroque architect Boromini. continuous use, and air
pollution, have taken their toll,
but advanced technology has
made it possible to dean the
exposed stoneiNork, restoring
it to its original cream color.

An i!l1>osing succession of
massive arches and saucer
domes open out into the vast
space belcm the cathedral's
main dome.

West Portico
Two stories of coupled
Corinthian columns are
topped by a pediment
carved with reliefs showing
the conversion of St. Paul.

KEY DATES
1675-1710 172?. 1810 1940
Vvl'en·s St. Paul's Wren is the first Many precbus S light bomb
cathedral is buik. person to be artifacts are damage occurs
l is the fourth interred in the lost In a major during the
church to occupy cathedral's robbel)'. LOndon Bl~z in
the site. Cl)'p\. World \Mir II.

Main entrance,
approached from
Ludgate Hill ----1~~~~@.~~

-<Choir Stalls